Laherte Freres Champagne Rosè de Meunier Extra Brut

Laherte Frères Champagne Rosé de Meunier Extra Brut is a characterful grower Champagne crafted entirely from old-vine Pinot Meunier in the heart of Champagne. This cuvée showcases the full personality of Meunier—at once generous, precise and vibrantly fresh—expressed through a finely tuned, low-dosage style. By focusing on mature, deeply rooted vines and careful blending, Laherte delivers a rosé that feels both vinous and gastronomic, yet effortlessly drinkable.

Tasting Notes
In the glass, Rosé de Meunier shows a luminous, pale to medium salmon-pink hue with fine, persistent bubbles forming a delicate mousse. The color hints at its blend of white and still red Meunier, promising both freshness and depth. The nose opens with ripe red berries—wild strawberry, raspberry and redcurrant—layered with blood orange zest, pomegranate and a touch of stone fruit. Underneath the fruit lie subtle floral notes (rosehip, dried flowers), gentle spice, and a faint chalky minerality. On the palate, it is dry, taut and precise in true Extra Brut fashion, yet still supple thanks to the old vines’ concentration. Juicy red berries and citrus mingle with hints of white pepper, crushed herbs and a light, savory, almost saline finish. The structure from Meunier gives a satisfying mid-palate and fine backbone, while the brisk acidity keeps everything lifted and mouthwatering. Enjoy it now for its energy and purity, but it also has the potential to develop more complexity over the next 3–5 years in bottle, gaining additional savory and autolytic nuances.

Production
The fruit for Laherte Frères Rosé de Meunier Extra Brut comes from old Pinot Meunier vines rooted in the varied terroirs around Chavot and neighboring villages in the Champagne region, where clay-limestone and chalk soils offer both ripeness and tension. These older vines naturally produce lower yields with more concentrated berries, ideal for a characterful rosé. Harvesting is done by hand to ensure that only perfectly healthy, optimally ripe grapes are selected. In the cellar, Laherte vinifies Meunier in different ways—some as a white base wine, some with short maceration and a portion as still red wine—before blending them to build complexity, color and structure. Fermentations typically take place with indigenous yeasts, and a mix of stainless steel and neutral oak is used to bring both freshness and texture. The wine undergoes a long élevage on lees and is finished with an Extra Brut dosage, keeping sugar very low so the terroir expression and the natural character of Meunier remain at the forefront.

Food & Serving
This Rosé de Meunier Extra Brut is a highly versatile food Champagne, equally at home as an aperitif or at the table. It pairs beautifully with charcuterie, smoked salmon, sushi and sashimi, tuna tartare, or grilled prawns, as well as poultry dishes, duck breast with berries, or lightly spiced Asian cuisine. It also works wonderfully with soft cheeses and fresh goat cheese. Serve well-chilled at around 8–10°C (46–50°F) to highlight its freshness and fine bubbles; if pairing with more complex dishes, letting it warm slightly in the glass will reveal extra layers of aroma. Decanting is not necessary, but opening the bottle 10–15 minutes before serving and pouring into proper tulip-shaped Champagne glasses will allow the wine to fully express its aromatic complexity.

Producer
Laherte Frères is a respected grower estate based in Chavot, in the Côteaux Sud d’Épernay area of the Champagne region, where the family has cultivated vines since the late 19th century. Still family-run, the domaine has become a benchmark for terroir-driven, artisan Champagne, with a strong emphasis on expressing individual parcels and grape varieties—particularly the often-overlooked Meunier. Working largely with organic and biodynamic principles, Laherte focuses on meticulous vineyard care, low yields and careful, minimalist winemaking. Their range has gained a devoted following among sommeliers and collectors for its energy, precision and authenticity, and cuvées like Rosé de Meunier highlight Laherte’s role in redefining what Champagne from small, quality-focused growers can be.